SEXUALLY SPEAKING

PERIODS

BY LORI DAVIS

Your period is trying to tell you something….

Periods are an aspect of health that has been routinely ignored; something to be barely tolerated at best and hated at worst. Those who have difficult periods often suffer in silence, finding little solace from friends, family or unfortunately, even their medical providers. But times are changing as more and more people are talking about and learning from the menstrual cycle. Some are even calling the period the fifth vital sign, a critical source of information about and a reflection of overall health. So, what is your period trying to tell you?

The menstrual cycle is governed by many factors, including genetics, but is very sensitive to changes in our environment and our life experiences. Exhausted from a stressful job? Missing out on sleep because you have young kids? Skipping meals because you just have too much to get done each day? Zoning out with Netflix for hours on end? The amount of stress in your life, the quality of your sleep, how much you exercise, your diet and many other life style factors can affect the physical and emotional symptoms of the menstrual cycle. Periods aren’t something that just happens randomly to you but are actually related to all other aspects of your health.

This can be the good news! Looking at your period as an indicator of your overall health can be empowering. It is also revolutionary because people with periods have been told that bad periods are normal and that there is nothing to do about difficult menstrual symptoms but to “grin and bear it” or to block the cycle with hormonal contraceptives. But periods do not have to be terrible monthly monsters that rob you of your best life. They also don’t have to just be tolerated or shut off all together. There is a third way. By taking small steps to prioritize your health, your period can potentially become a friend rather than a foe.

The first step is to simply become aware of your menstrual cycle. You can chart your symptoms with pen and paper or use one of the many period tracking apps that are easy to use and often free. There are many aspects of the menstrual cycle that can be tracked, depending on your goals. To start out, simply note when your first day of bleeding occurs, when bleeding stops, and consider using one word to label how your felt that day, for example “energized,” “exhausted,” “irritable,” “frisky” etc. In this way you can start to observe some of the patterns that emerge with your cycle each month.

Though most women think of their menstrual cycle as only a negative experience, each phase of the cycle has its own specific character. Though each person’s experience of these phases is different, there are some commonalities. For many people, the rising estrogen levels of the first half of the cycle are associated with feeling more energized and ready to take care of business. The second half of the cycle, which is dominated by progesterone, can lead to feeling more introspective. The very end of the cycle is associated with a drop in both estrogen and progesterone that leaves many women feeling irritable, sad, and exhausted. Learning more about each part of the cycle can help illuminate these rhythmic patterns, empower you to gain the wisdom each part has to offer, and begin to address any problems that arise.

Learning about your period is a lifelong process as the menstrual cycle will change over time as your life changes and as you age. The periods of early adolescence are often irregular and sometimes painful as hormonal systems find their equilibrium. Perimenopause, which can begin in the early 40s or sooner for some, can cause chaos in the hormonal cycle and lead to symptoms like heavy bleeding, hot flashes, brain fog, anxiety, and depression. Menopause, which technically starts one year after the last period, can also be associated with symptoms that range from merely bothersome to debilitating.

Looking for ideas to begin to improve your period? Keep it simple. Take time to do one thing that nourishes you if you are feeling wiped out when you are menstruating. Productivity is great, but rest is actually just as essential. Prioritize your sleep; it’s the foundation of health. Eat lots of colorful vegetables and try incorporating them at every meal. Healthy proteins, fats and carbs are also essential. Don’t sweat it if you eat French fries or chocolate ice cream now and again. If you feel more sexual during ovulation or menstruation, explore how that can be a source of pleasure and joy for you.

“The menstrual cycle is governed by many factors, including genetics, but is very sensitive to changes in our environment and our life experiences.”

Though periods are responsive to lifestyle changes, some symptoms are a signal that more intensive treatments are necessary. First, painful, debilitating periods are never “normal.” Periods that cause you to miss work or school routinely should be evaluated for the possibility that endometriosis or other underlying causes are at play. Periods that are irregular and infrequent are also a signal that more complex problems like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) could be driving period abnormalities. Finally, profound depression right before your period suggests more than just PMS and may signal premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which deserves special evaluation and intervention. Seek out an experienced and compassionate provider who specializes in period health if your period gives you persistent trouble; effective treatments are available.

The Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness is committed to helping people manifest their best sexual selves through a holistic and biopsychosocial approach, which includes helping people have better periods and a smoother menopause transition. Periods and sex are intimately interwoven aspects of life, not just because of the facts of reproduction, but also because happier, healthier periods make for better, happier sex lives.

Lori Davis, DNP is a nurse practitioner and sex counselor with a specialization in sexual and hormonal health at the Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness. In addition to her work with the Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness she also has a private practice in Ithaca, NY.

SEX*

*NOW THAT WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION...

Announcing Western New York’s first comprehensive resource for sexual and relationship wellness and menopause medicine.

Introducing the Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness where sexual medicine specialists and certified sex therapists offer a holistic approach to sexual and relationship wellness.

Offering confidential and open-minded care to people of all genders and sexualities that is specifically designed to help YOU meet YOUR GOALS. Also, featuring a nationally certified menopause medicine specialist to help make mid-life your BEST LIFE

CALL US AT 585-865-3584 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.ROCHESTERCENTERFORSEXUALWELLNESS.COM